Gasperini: ‘Dybala has more quality than Ferguson, the whole attack benefits’

Gian Piero Gasperini has explained what makes Paulo Dybala such a valued member of the Roma first-team squad, and has explained why he would pick the Argentine over centre-forward Evan Ferguson every week if he had the option to do so. 

Gasperini is preparing to lead his Roma side into battle with his former club Genoa in Serie A on Monday evening. 

He spoke on numerous topics, including the strength of the opposition, the current injury status of his first-team players and the quality that Dybala brings during his pre-match press conference on Sunday evening. 

Gasperini began his pre-match press conference with a brief injury update and a short review of the last week’s training at Trigoria. 

“Dovbyk won’t be there,” the head coach confirmed. The Ukrainian has missed the last five Serie A matches, soon to be six with a hamstring issue. 

“We were able to work, even with a bit of flu circulating at the moment,” Gasperini continued. “The rest of us will be there.

“The biggest concern is Hermoso, who we still have to evaluate tomorrow. He has a sort of sports hernia issue, we have to wait and see if he will be able to play or not.” 

And when asked about the threat that Genoa pose, Gasperini said: “Genoa always has a good rank of young players, and good players, too. It’s part of their nature to develop players and sell them on. They’ve got some excellent youngsters who are doing very well this year.”

This is a particularly sentimental fixture for both head coaches. Gasperini spent eight years as head coach of Genoa across two different spells, while Giallorossi favourite Daniele De Rossi will return to the Stadio Olimpico for the first time since he was dismissed from his position as Roma head coach last September. 

“My experiences (with Genoa) were long, in two cycles, one which lasted five years and another that lasted three. They were eight great years of my life. For me, Genoa is still an important piece of my life memories,” Gasperini said. 

“We came in at Serie B with a team that had just come up from Serie C, and within two years we were playing in Europe. I had a great relationship with that particular President. The second time I came back, the club was struggling, but we were able to qualify for Europe in my second year. 

“I have a great bond with a very passionate and receptive fanbase, who always bring a boost, especially in home games. It’s a great place to play football.” 

Questions then turned to Gasperini’s transfers and tactics for Monday night. When asked if Pellegrini’s injury will change Roma’s priorities in the transfer window, Gasperini said: “I don’t know. He’s a player who has done well. We’ve given him a few chances in the last few games, he had a bit of a drop, but he then put in some great performances. 

“These injuries happen, but this is what we feared: Going into a very important stage of the season with nine games in the space of a month. From tomorrow until January 29, we will play nine matches, all of which are important. 

“It’s obvious that between the two players involved in the Africa Cup of Nations, plus Dovbyk, Pellegrini, Bailey, Hermoso, this is a moment where we need to tighten up and get the most out of everyone.” 

And when asked where Dybala could play as a trequartista or as a false nine on Monday evening, Gasperini said: “He was our only solution at certain points, but he can do very well (as a false nine). 

“Playing as an attacking midfielder can become complicated when he has his physical troubles, as we’ve unfortunately discovered over this period. I’ve always hoped to have him and have counted on him, because the value of our team increases when he is in that position. The whole attack benefits.” 

Gasperini was then asked if he means to say that he would prefer to pick Dybala over centre-forward Evan Ferguson for every game if he was able to. 

Gasperini replied: “Dybala? We’re talking about a player of the highest possible level, and the discussion was only about him. The decision with Dybala and Ferguson comes from the fact that Dybala is a higher-quality player, and I will confirm that. Obviously, the first step is to get him back to feeling his best, and finding the best set-up.

“There’s no direct comparison with Ferguson: It’s difficult to come across another player of (Dybala’s) quality. If he has problems, there aren’t really any like-for-like replacements. This wasn’t meant to be an insult to Ferguson. 

“If Ferguson wants to take a step forwards, remembering that he is 21 years old and still very young, he has to improve not on his technical level, but on that hunger, desire, understanding where he plays and how to make the most out of his weapons.” 

“As for the rest, the window will open on the 3rd and we will see from there. I don’t want to go back to July and August, avoiding having to talk about the transfer window. Tomorrow we’re playing against Genoa, it’s a tough game.”